Arsenal transfer chase boosted as long-term target is made available for January transfer at right price

Arsenal have been given a boost in their ongoing pursuit of Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema with Spanish source Fichajes (via the Metro) claiming that the Bernabeu side would consider selling the French international in January.

27-year-old striker Benzema was hotly tipped to move to the Emirates Stadium over the summer but no move was forthcoming and the former Lyon man has started the current season brightly.

Rafa Benitez has continued to use the three pronged attack of Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale and has seen Real Madrid notch up 11 goals in three La Liga fixtures, with Benzema scoring three times.

Benzema is a proven consistent goal-scorer who could certainly offer Arsene Wenger a more prolific spearhead for his Gunners attack but a move to bring in the Real Madrid star looks increasingly unlikely.

Arsenal have scored five times in their opening five Premier League fixtures, though two of those efforts have come via own goals, and Benzema is a far more effective option than both Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott.